Ardent Introduces a Technique Specific Flip-N-Pitch Reel and a Quick and Easy
Culling System

Date:

7/21/08

Location:

Las
Vegas, NV

Manufacturer:

Ardent

Reviewer:

Team
TackleTour

Introduction: Ardent reels, known for their
U.S. made reels gets innovative this season with the introduction of the unique F500 Flip-N-Pitch casting reel.
This reel resembles
a formula race car and is built with a singular technique specific purpose. In
addition to the F500 the company also branches out into accessories with the
clever "SmartCull" Culling System.

Introducing the new Ardent F500
Flip-N-Pitch casting reel

F500 Flip-N-Pitch:
The Ardent F500 Flip-N-Pitch resembles a Formula race car's front end with a
distinctive
pointed nose and a stylishly ported front end. This inventive reel is designed
specifically for the technique of flipping and pitching and . The reel has unique
features tuned for this specific application.

You won't find
a drag star on this reel as the internal drag is permanently set at 22 pounds of
pressure

Starting at the front end of the reel,
instead of a levelwind guide, the reel has a fixed ceramic line eye where the
line emerges. The spool is also customized with a very narrow spool design that
is designed to reduce line friction and allow the angler to
flip or pitch effortlessly. The spool is so narrow that it makes sense not to
have a levelwind that can cause more line friction. This design also makes it
possible to just use the line you need, allowing you to change out your high end
superlines as needed without waste.

A unique
eyelet for effective flipping and pitching. No levelwind is needed

Ardent
F500 Flip-N-Pitch

Model

Bearings

IPT

Line
Cap (lbs/yds)

Gear

F500

5+1

26 in

14/100, 17/80, 20/65

6.3:1

Another interesting design
component is the lack of any
drag-star on the Ardent F500. When anglers pitch or flip they usually button
down the drag for solid hooksets. Ardent has factory preset the drag on the reel to a
hefty 22 pounds via their Perma-lock Drag System.

Another
innovative feature in this technique specific reel is the extremely narrow spool

The F500 Flip-N-Pitch is
constant with Ardent's mission to create a US made reel that is built solid and
reliable. The
F500 has a frame and side plates that are constructed out of aluminum-alloy. A solid
piece of stainless steel is used to fabricate the handle and housed within the reel
are five stainless steel bearings and one roller bearing. Like the company's other baitcast reels
the F500 makes use of a 6-pin centrifugal brake system. The Ardent F500
Flip-N-Pitch comes with a 3-year warranty and will retail for only $149.99 when
it is released in August 2008.

Introducing
the SmartCull Professional Culling System

SmartCull Professional
Culling System:
We were surprised to see that Ardent was branching out into accessory products
and the new SmartCull Professional Culling System caught our attention. This
professional grade product looks like one of the easiest and quickest culling systems to
use during pre-fishing or tournaments.

A 9 inch
stainless steel cable and clip is attached to the buoyant ball

The two stage system allows
any angler to cull fish by color and weight. There are six buoyant, impact
resistant balls in a set that don't require the need to use any accompanying markers
or charts. Why six you might ask. Well, if you're culling that means you already have
five fish in the livewell. the sixth ball allows you to set the weight of the
sixth fish, toss it into the livewell while you find the ball with the fish that
weighs the least to cull.

Dials on the
ball are used to set the weight of the fish. 15 pounds and 15 ounces is the
maximum setting

The SmartCull balls have two
dials on each ball that are numbered from 0 to 15, thus you can record up to 15
pounds and 15 ounces. Setting the weights is both very simple and quick which is
a good thing since seconds are all you can afford during a tournament. Simply push one half of the ball in and then turn to
select the proper number for the weight of the fish and when released it will
lock into place. Attached to the ball is a durable stainless steel clip and a
nine inch stainless steel cable with a protective rubber coating. The new Ardent SmartCull
system is exactly what the moniker implies, a intelligent way to make culling easy.
As an added bonus the system benefits fish as well as it reduces overall stress
on the fish due to the promptness of
the system. A set of six SmartCull markers will retail for $39.99 and will be available August
2008.

Jake Tippee of
Ardent designed the clever SmartCull

Conclusion:
Most reels are...well, multipurpose reels. Capable of tossing anything from a spinnerbait to a plastic worm. But that's soon to change
with the introduction of a true technique specific reel. Ardent's new F500 Flip-N-Pitch casting reel
is exceptionally designed for flipping and pitching
in close quarters. The reel has an inventive operational front end and ingenious spool design, and
with preset drag
at 22lbs this reel is ready to deal. Another exciting new product that deserves
much attention is the company's new SmartCull. This system is easy and quick to use and eliminates the use of
markers, charts, or digital devices, and at the same time reduces stress on the fish.
This is sure to be an exciting year for Ardent as they move forward with new and
exciting products, all developed right here in the US.